Empowering everyday energy monitoring through design and technology.
Services
Client
Year
Website
The Idea & Research
In light of the energy price crisis in 2023 and in order to diversify their portfolio within the energy sector Rabobank tasked us to combine AR technologies with smart home appliances to show users their energy usage in a new and direct way.
Our research showed us that this field is still very new, there was not a single competitor yet that combined both of these technologies and traditional energy tracking apps often forced users to scroll through endless lists to find the usage of a specific appliance.
Interactivity & AR Vision
I used unity to create the interactive part of the app as it allowed me to translate the creative vision we had as a team into a creative environment that is both interactive and also easily deployed on multiple platforms and truly allows for nearly infinite possibilities. In order to create the 3d models itself, to be used in the unity experience I first inflated 2D graphics we made in Illustrator, to give them the playful look we were aiming for and then transferred them to blender where I assembled, re-meshed and textured them.
User Interface Development
The user interface was designed to be both playful and simple at the same time. Initially we started with a quite minimalist approach but then ultimately settled on this mix of bright colors and very playful and plasticy integration. Feel free to play with a web version of the UI above or download the app on testflight.
Result
Powio evolved into an engaging, tangible experience that turned data into discovery. The prototype was met with enthusiasm across Rabobank’s innovation network, drawing attention for its unexpected mix of color, character, and clarity.
We built a dynamic AR experience that reimagined how people perceive energy: interactive, playful, and human. The project demonstrated the potential of design-led innovation in transforming complex technologies into relatable, everyday tools.
